1264 Ilkhanate Nerge

The 1264 Ilkhanate Nerge was a nerge great hunt held by Khagan Hulegu Khan of the Ilkhanate from 3 September 1264.

History
Having gone on a pilgrimage, had a great feast, and held a grand tournament, Hulegu Khan decided to continue the 1263-1264 game seasons by beginning the great hunt. His scouts chose a region that was rich with game, and Mongol warriors closed in on the designated areas after 3 September 1264. On 13 September the forces were deployed at the assembly points, and they would trap and kill several animals. Chief Jamugha of Vaspurakan and Prince al-Muwahhid Taqi al-Din of Egypt came to blows with each other when their advancing lines became entangled with each other; although no wildlife escaped, they held grudges against each other. On 21 September, High Chief Elp-Ergun of Hazaraspid Satrapy failed to properly maintain his lines, allowing for several animals to escape. Tradition dictated that Elp-Ergun had to be punished, or else discipline among the other troops could be disrupted and three nobles would be angry with Hulegu. Hulegu reluctantly admitted a severe clubbing to him, wounding him and slightly decreasing his opinion of him. Shortly after, Hulegu asked for Elp-Ergun to embrace Orthodox Christianity, which he did. On 21 November Hulegu led his retinue on an attack on the animals as they were trapped, and as in tradition, on 1 December he spared the lives of the last surviving animals as nine days of feasting began. On 6 December, the hunt ended, leaving all of the vassals happy.